The potential impact of work-based learning (WBL) in developing those VET student skills and competences needed by the world of work is strongly acknowledged; it is high in the Riga conclusions agenda for 2015-20.
In-company trainers occupy a key position in WBL as they ensure guidance and support for students across the WBL process. It is crucial to ensure the opportunity for in-company trainers to develop their training and assessment skills and to receive support and guidance in fulfilling their duties.
Aligned to this aim, in the 2013/14 school year Romania has introduced an IVET pathway with a significant WBL component, with a focus on ensuring high quality learning.
The National Centre for TVET Development (NCTVETD) is currently implementing the Dalivet project (http://dalivet.scriptmedia.ro/, Erasmus+), aiming to create the starting point for the development and introduction of an apprenticeship pathway in initial VET in Romania.
Within the project, a programme for professional development of staff involved in WBL, from both schools and companies, has been developed. This programme, Together we build bridges, aims to support teachers and trainers in planning and implementing the WBL process. It comprises three learning units followed by evaluation, with a total duration of 24 hours:
- the Romanian initial VET (TVET) framework (four hours);
- TVET qualifications: training standards and curricula (four hours);
- design and delivery of WBL in TVET (14 hours);
- final evaluation (two hours);
The training programme will be delivered for 46 teachers and trainers in a pilot exercise in spring 2016.
With a mid-term perspective, as part of the Romanian VET Strategy 2016-20 that is currently in the final stage of approval, expansion of this training programme is foreseen to an additional 2600 teachers and trainers involved in WBL-oriented IVET.